Subcutaneous parasites in humans: symptoms and treatment

Photos and videos of the symptoms of subcutaneous parasites in humans are not a pleasant sight. Unlike intestinal worms, which a person may not even be aware of, epithelial infections are easy to see. In this case, a person feels constant discomfort due to the symptoms that accompany the injury. This helps to start diagnosing the disease and starting treatment as soon as possible. A photo of subcutaneous parasites in humans evokes emotions close to disgust, but the symptoms of infection are much more unpleasant. The image does not convey a person's sensations from the knowledge that someone is crawling along her body. But epithelial infections are not only discomfort, but also a significant danger to the health of the whole organism. The toxins secreted by the parasite's body can affect all organ systems, and the helminths themselves love to spread throughout the human body. So the manifestation of dermatological problems can be a sign of danger to the patient's life due to the presence of helminths in the brain, organs of vision or the heart.

Which parasites live in the skin?

Dermatological problems can cause a wide variety of infections. If, during intestinal infection, the presence of worms is diagnosed more often, then insects and protozoa can also be found under the skin. Mosquitoes, ticks and other blood-sucking parasites usually feed on and detach from humans unnoticed, but there are those that continue to live and multiply in the body.

Each of these types of infections has their own ways of entering the human body. The symptoms and effects of the infection also vary widely. As a result, the treatment of the disease will take place in different ways. But to distinguish a parasitic infection from another and to determine who lives in the body, it is necessary to undergo a long diagnosis. The doctor, knowing the characteristics and habitats of the different parasites, will indicate the most likely option even before the start of the tests, focusing only on the symptoms and on the patient's travel map around the world.

Parasitic microorganisms

The most common disease of this type is leishmaniasis. It is caused by the simplest parasites, which gave the pathology its name. 9 out of 10 infections occur in a few countries:

• Syria;
• Iran;
• Saudi Arabia;
• Afghanistan;
• Peru;
• Brazil.

The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and some species of flies. Pathogenic microorganisms do not survive in temperate climates, so you can get infected with leishmaniasis only after resting in warm countries with a tropical climate.

If infected, the infection forms ulcers at the site of insect bites. Over time, it heals and leaves a messy scar. With multiple outbreaks, leishmaniasis can feel like leprosy. The danger of this disease is that it passes from the skin to the lymphatic system and can affect internal organs, gradually destroying them. At the same time, parasites live inside the cells, so immune bodies are of little use to fight protozoa. But after a single experience of fighting leishmaniasis, immunity is formed.

Insects among subcutaneous parasites

Diseases caused by such an invasion are called entomosis. There are several varieties of these subcutaneous parasites in humans:

1. Sarcopsillosis (tungiasis).Named by the tropical sand flea. Just walk barefoot on the beach or lie down and bask in the sun for the insect to crawl over your body. It hides imperceptibly under the outer layer of the epithelium until the blood is drunk. Then the flea "gets fat" and begins to press on the surrounding tissues, causing discomfort. When it dies, it is excreted from the body with dead peeling skin. If this does not happen, the tissue can become infected and abscessed.
2. Dermatobiasis.The South American human gadfly injects larvae under the human skin. When fully developed, they tear the tissue and leave the body, leaving an open wound. In case of damage to the eyelid and the skin above the cartilage, dangerous consequences for health are possible.

3. Acariasis.These diseases are caused by ticks. The most famous is scabies, which lives and reproduces under the skin, feeding on its cells. Symptoms of scabies can be easily distinguished from itchy urticaria by filamentous streaks - channels in the epithelium gnawed by the female parasite. Another mite, Demodex, causes dermatitis and baldness.

Most often, insects that settle in the human body live in southern countries, because their development requires a stable warm climate. But in some cases it is enough to visit the sea in the summer and then fight the subcutaneous parasites for several months.

parasitic nematodes and more

Subcutaneous worms in humans are not difficult to detect. They usually reveal their location in the same way as other infections: redness, itching and burning. But in some cases, the epithelium is only an intermediate stop, and the main development of the pathology continues in the internal organs:

1. Dirofilariasis. There are several types of these helminths. Some prefer to settle in the internal organs, but there are those that affect the skin and eyes. The parasite larvae are carried by mosquitoes and are found in warm regions. A painful, soft, mobile lump swells at the injury site. It is not dangerous if the infection does not affect the visual organs. But it requires surgery for treatment.
2. Dracunculiasis.The Rishta worm enters the body with water containing small crustaceans that store the larvae in their stomach. Through the intestines, helminths penetrate into the abdominal cavity, where they mate and lay eggs in muscle tissue in the area of ​​the joints and bones of the legs. When the new worm matures, the larva breaks through the skin and exits. The only way to relieve the burning sensation and pain is to put the limb in water. Other methods of getting rid of the parasite that has lodged in the body have not yet been invented.

3. Schistosomiasis.Not all worms under human skin come to us with food. To become infected with schistosomes, it is enough to swim in the cool waters of the tropical countries of South America, the Caribbean, Africa or Southeast Asia. The skin lesion resembles scabies and is accompanied by tingling. But after a while, the larvae make their way deep into the body, after which the epithelial symptoms disappear and the next stage of the disease develops.
4. Gnathostomosis.Humans are not natural hosts of this parasite. Therefore, the worms cannot reproduce in the body. Therefore, the Asian parasite, entering the body with insufficiently heat-treated fish, frogs or birds. The larvae begin to migrate after a month. Moving under the skin, they cause itching, redness and pain. Appearance in the abdomen is accompanied by edema.

After the first signs of helminthic life appear under the skin, the patient should undergo an examination and begin treatment. Many parasites can significantly worsen health, including disability, if they are not removed in time.

Diagnostic procedures

Given the variety of parasites that live under human skin, there is no universal method that can help pinpoint the cause of the disease. Furthermore, we must not forget that insects and worms are not the only possible sources of dermatological problems. Allergic reactions, fungal growth, and bacterial infections are much more likely to cause hives and dermatitis.

The first stage of the search for parasites on human skin begins with an examination. The doctor conducts a survey, examines the affected areas, and asks for other symptoms. Then he will be able to narrow the search area and in some cases, for example, with dracunculiasis and heartworms, immediately prescribe treatment.

If the physical examination did not help to completely clarify the picture, laboratory and hardware diagnostic methods are assigned:

1. Blood test.The general analysis reveals the picture of the body's reactions to the infection. Then a specialist can determine the nature of the disease. When carrying out biochemistry, it is worth paying attention to the indicators of the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes and the content of eosinophils. If they are elevated, it means that helminthiasis is quite likely. ELISA analysis is the most accurate. The exact type of parasite, if present in the body, will also help determine from the presence of antibodies.
2. Stool analysis.Many subcutaneous worms are initially found in the intestine. By examining the feces, you can find helminth eggs and begin treatment.

3. Biopsy.Analysis of affected tissues, the contents of purulent abscesses and blisters, enlarged lymph nodes can also reveal a picture of the disease.
4. Ultrasound, X-rays, CT and MRI.Various hardware methods of "scanning" the body will help locate the source of the infection under the skin and in internal organs. In some cases, this is the only effective diagnostic method.

Some infections can only be diagnosed after treatment, when the parasite is removed from under the skin.

Treatment of parasitic diseases

Depending on the type of parasite, doctors must use different methods to get rid of the infection:

1. The simplest microorganisms are destroyed with a course of antibiotics. It is obligatorily accompanied by symptomatic treatment.
2. You can get rid of ticks using special ointments and tablets. At the same time, dermatobiasis can only be cured surgically, removing the larvae from under the skin.
3. The method of treatment of helminthiasis directly depends on the type of parasite. So heartworm is treated only surgically. Antihelmetics will help get rid of schistosomes and intestinal parasites. And treatment of dracunculiasis is not provided at all. A person has to wait for the worm to leave the body on its own and fight the symptoms - pain and inflammation.

In any case, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination by a doctor and begin treatment under his guidance to ensure complete elimination of parasites.